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The Platoon stalwarts.
Front row, from left to right: Lance Corporal Jones (Clive
Dunn), Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Sergeant
Wilson (John Le Mesurier).
Back row, from left to right: Private Godfrey (Arnold
Ridley), Private Walker (James Beck), Private Fraser
(John Laurie), Private Pike (Ian Lavender). |
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A True Classic!
For 9 years, between 1968 and 1977, Dad's Army
was broadcast on BBC 1. A run that lasted longer than the
Second World War and the British Home Guard who it fondly
caricatured. It became one of the most popular comedy series
on British television and remains so to this day, often,
on repeat, getting larger audiences than many more recent
comedy series.
Written by the talented duo of Jimmy Perry and
David Croft 'Dad's Army' starred a host of talented
actors. The main characters are pictured above but we mustn't
forget Mainwaring's 'arch enemy', Chief Air Raid Warden Hodges,
played by Bill Pertwee.
Much of the success of Croft and Perry's creation
must be put down to the combination of the superb cast and
their wonderful scripts.
1940
The series is set in the South coast town of
Walmington-on-Sea, the date is 1940. The Nazis have overrun
most of Europe and, following defeat in France; Britain stands
alone and under threat of invasion. The Prime Minister, Neville
Chamberlain, broadcasts to the nation and calls for the creation
of an irregular army of 'Local Defence Volunteers' (LDV).
This force is to be made up of those either too young or
too old for regular army service. The LDV would later be
renamed 'The Home Guard' but for now the country needs natural
leaders of men to organise it's defence.
'Cometh the hour, cometh the man', in Walmington
the manager of the Swallow Bank, Mainwaring, decides he is
the inspirational leader that is needed. He promptly sets
out to organise the local LDV and 'Dad's Army' is
born.
Now, pay attention at the back!
That's enough serious stuff for now, let's
have some action!
Below is a list of other pages on this website,
read carefully and don't waste time going to pages that aren't
of interest. You stupid boy! |
